Page 159 - AGC-Journal-2016

GC JOURNAL

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2016
AGC JOURNAL 2016
Exercise
Heading down into the cold water for the first time

Dragons Back

By Private Erin Schwass

Members from 3 Regiment
Royal Logistic Corps took part
in a week long adventurous
training package in the
beautiful Capel Curig region

of North Wales in March Mountain biking
2016.

Canyoning Mountain Biking

We arrived at Betws-y-Coed, eager for the Nervously, the first group loaded the
challenge ahead - canyoning. Although bikes and boarded the transport to the
the weather was unusually sunny, we were Mountain Biking Centre in Llandegla
apprehensive of the freezing waters that we Forest. On arrival, the team had a practice, Rock Climbing
would have to wade through, but we took it some having not ridden in a number of
in our stride. After a steep trek up the hill, years. The group mounted their bikes and
the instructor took us to the start point. peddled to the ‘skills section’ of the centre, The rock climbers braved the indoor climb-
practicing over the rocks, jumps, berms ing walls and bouldering frames in the
With the initial jump off a rock and into and turns. Perfecting their positions, they Rock Climbing Centre in Llanfairpwllgw-
the depths below, the groups’ bodies shifted gear and made their way uphill. yngyl. Luckily, for the first two days they
acclimatised to the cold water and the were the only people using the Centre so
fun began. We continued to slip and slide A few rest stops later, they found they were able to take full advantage of all
our way through the rocks and small themselves at the beginning of the Blue it had to offer.
waterfalls to about half way down the Run descent and the real challenge began. Overall, it was an enjoyable couple of days
river. The instructor gave another brief The group used their newly honed skills to climbing and they even enjoyed a fish
warning to stay low in case of falling. overcome the twists and turns, rocky paths & chips lunch at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllg-
Lieutenant Wayne Derham volunteered and a few unwelcome hilly sections to ogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,
to go first, so that he could film the rest finally arrive on safe, level ground at the the longest place name in Wales.
of the group. He clambered down a rocky end of the run.
section, then somehow slipped and flew Summary
quite spectacularly. More cautious now, With lunch demolished, the more
we continued down the rope section of the courageous and talented members of the The expedition has enthused us all to
canyon and too soon, it was time for the group set off back up the mountain to take develop our coaching skills, and as a result
final part. Hooked up on a pulley system, on the Red Run which included a section of each we have put in a bid for a Leaders
we jumped off the ledge and zip-wired over Black. More challenging, they all made it course, so on our next expedition we can
a waterfall, finishing in a pool beneath. safely back down. be self-sufficient.

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*2016 J Layout.indd 159 10/01/2017 15:45